Waikato District Council welcomes the announcement of their successful application to the Tourism Infrastructure Fund for facilities in Raglan.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment awarded Council $868,000 for the construction of toilets, rubbish facilities and additional car parking to assist with the peak season overflows experienced in the small Waikato town over the summer months.
“Raglan is the jewel in the crown of the Waikato and every summer we are blessed with thousands of families, domestic and international visitors enjoying what our residents enjoy every day,” Mayor Allan Sanson states. “This funding will allow us to bring forward some much-needed additional facilities to cope with some of the pressure points during peak season and beyond.”
The funding will go towards new toilet facilities based at Joyce Petchell Park, Cliff Street and Ngarunui Beach. Joyce Petchell Park will also benefit from additional car parking for larger vehicles. Larger capacity rubbish bins will also be installed to assist with litter.
Raglan was identified in the Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Opportunities Plan as a “hero experience” and so Council and Regional Tourism Organisations have worked with the local community to establish a Destination Management Organisation to assist with local tourism opportunities.
Previously known for its bohemian lifestyle, Raglan has grown up with a more sophisticated offering and is now well-regarded as a popular summer spot for professionals, families with children of all ages due to the diverse offerings.
The town has a resident population of 5,350 and caters for a population swell of approximately 91,700 overnight visitors per month during the peak summer months.
Visitors to the town can enjoy a world-class left hand break, surf beaches and an outstanding natural harbour with numerous tourism activities both on the water and land. Tourists can also enjoy a stunning horsetail waterfall, Wairenga - Bridal Veil Falls, a short drive from the town centre.
The latest attraction in Raglan is a pump track at Papahua, next to the Raglan Kopua Holiday Park. Bikers, skateboarders and scooter riders have been making the most of the state-of-the-art track, constructed by trail ride builders Empire of Dirt and landscaped by Council staff.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Teresa Hancock, Communications Advisor
Waikato District Council
027 706 5776
communications@waidc.govt.nz
